Denver is a fantastic city with many opportunities, including a hot job market.
Are you considering a move to Denver? We don’t blame you. Of course, Colorado — including Denver — is well-known for its breathtaking scenery and fun winter and summer sports and recreational activities. And because so many residents take advantage of the great weather and fun outdoor activities, most Denver residents have high health and wellness levels.
Another perk of living in Denver is the affordability and income levels. Though the cost of living in Denver is 13.4 percent higher than the national average, it’s significantly lower than other cities in the country, which is why some people are leaving states like California for places like Denver.
Included, of course, in the cost of living is the cost of the rent. While Denver is more affordable than other cities, the price in the Downtown area might still be too high for some folks. That’s why we’re happy to provide you with information about some of the cheapest neighborhoods in Denver — places where you can still find high-quality rentals.
What is the average rent in Denver?
The average cost of a two-bedroom apartment in Denver is $3,161, increasing over 27 percent in the past 12 months. While the highest rent in the area is nearly $5,000 per month, the good news is that the lowest rental costs come in at just under $1,300. That means that you should find a neighborhood easily — and an excellent apartment within that neighborhood – that fits into your budget.
The 10 most affordable neighborhoods in Denver
While the idea of paying an average of over $3,000 per month may make some people squirm, please remember that the average rental fee for a city is just that – an average. There are plenty of affordable options. You just have to get to know the city a little bit. And that’s where we come in! Here are our picks for the 10 cheapest neighborhoods in Denver.
10. Windsor
Source: Rent.com/Alas Over Lowry
- Average 2-BR rent: $1,735
- Rent change since 2021: +13.40%
Windsor is often named one of the best places to live in Denver. Residents in the area tend are mostly retirees and young professionals. However, public schools in the area rate higher than average. Considering that, plus the fact that it’s one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Denver, makes it appealing to families, too.
The average commute is approximately 20-30 minutes, and most residents have their own vehicles. Though Windsor has a lower-than-average (43) walkability score, some residents say it’s relatively easy to get around on foot, especially if you just need to pick something up at the grocery store.
9. Near Southeast Denver
Source: Rent.com/Steele Creek Apartments
- Average 2-BR rent: $1,713
- Rent change since 2021: +12.25%
You might think that living so close to Denver would equate to sky-high (or, shall we say, mile-high) rental prices. What makes this part of the city so appealing to apartment dwellers is that it’s one of the cheapest neighborhoods in Denver. Though rental fees rose in the last 12 months, the cost of rent each month in Near Southeast Denver is nearly $3,000 cheaper than in the most expensive Denver neighborhood.
Another perk of living in this part of the city is that nature’s beauty surrounds you, as do plenty of green spaces and parks. Homes in the area are clean, well-kept and beautiful. Near Southeast Denver apartments are also typically located somewhat close to major roadways, making commutes, shopping and an evening out with your significant other extremely convenient.
8. Far Southwest Denver
Source: Rent.com/Windsor Townhomes and Apartments
- Average 2-BR rent: $1,641
- Rent change since 2021: +5.60%
Another beautiful neighborhood with plenty of green spaces is Far Southwest Denver. During the past 12 months, the prices in this area rose less than six percent, making it one of the cheapest neighborhoods in Denver. Most, if not all, of the residents give this neighborhood a five out of five rating for affordable housing, including apartments for rent.
Residents in the area are young couples and retirees, though there are a few small families in the area. The majority of residents commute to Denver for work, shopping and entertainment. Commute time depends on exactly where you live in the neighborhood and where you’re going, obviously, but most residents have a 30-minute commute each day.
Walkability and biking scores are quite high (71 and 78, respectively), making this a great neighborhood for people who love to exercise outdoors or want to save some money on fuel.
7. Harvey Park South
Source: Rent.com/Advenir at Bear Valley
- Average 2-BR rent: $1,641
- Rent change since 2021: +6.08%
Approximately 10 miles south of Denver’s city center is the neighborhood of Harvey Park South. The area is known for high-achieving schools, safe streets and 1950s-era brick homes. There are two parks in the area, too. Housing prices — including apartments for rent — are low, making this one of Denver’s cheapest places to live. The composite perks of Harvey Park South make it an ideal neighborhood for young families, retirees or people just starting out.
Residents say they love the quaint, relaxed atmosphere and the fact that you can buy fresh, organic fruits and vegetables from local farmers. They also enjoy the trails and parks where you can go for a picnic, a walk with your dog or just hang out with friends and enjoy the great outdoors.
6. West Denver
Source: Rent.com/Bromwell
- Average 2-BR rent: $1,558
- Rent change since 2021: +15.43%
Residents in the West Denver area love that this is one of the cheapest neighborhoods in Denver. But there’s so much more that they love!
For instance, there are several beautiful parks in the area, and most apartments for rent in West Denver are close to elementary schools, making this a great neighborhood for growing families. The green spaces in the area also have plenty of trails for exercise, walking your pooch or spending some quiet time with your significant other.
Residents also say that the neighborhood is quiet, and their neighbors are incredibly friendly. They also appreciate that there’s some diversity in the area, which means you’ll meet interesting people from a variety of backgrounds. And you’ll also get some exceptional international cuisine.
5. Infinity Flats
Source: Rent.com/One Observatory Park
- Average 2-BR rent: $1,554
- Rent change since 2021: +6.53%
The majority of residents in Infinity Flats are couples, whether young professionals or retirees. Most spend up to 30 minutes commuting to and from work, shopping and errands. However, the walkability and bike scores are relatively high (71 and 78, respectively), which means you can easily walk or bike to run a few errands or meet your friends for a drink.
The public transit score is moderate (55), so there are some options, but most people in the area choose to their own vehicle or carpool.
Infinity Flats gets high scores from residents for being one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Denver. But there’s much more they enjoy, including plenty of stores, restaurants, coffee shops, health and fitness establishments and, of course, it wouldn’t be a Denver neighborhood without beautiful parks.
4. Virginia Village
Source: Rent.com/Gables Vista
- Average 2-BR rent: $1,554
- Rent change since 2021: +9.58%
One of the highest-rated neighborhoods in the city is Virginia Village. One of the reasons it receives such high ratings from residents is that it’s one of the cheapest neighborhoods in Denver. Besides that, though, people who live here like that it’s just a 25-30 minute commute to Denver’s city center. They have a relatively easy commute to work and shopping but get to come home to their quiet, peaceful residential neighborhood. Virginia Village offers a welcome respite after working all day in the city.
There’s a strong sense of community here, with residents taking the time and putting forth the effort to get to know one another. The community encourages volunteering, and you’ll find plenty of opportunities to do so, like at the Virginia Village Library.
While the neighborhood is further away from the mountains that make Denver so popular, there are several parks, so you can still spend a lot of time enjoying the beauty of local outdoor spaces.
Residents also like that apartments for rent in Virginia Village are close to restaurants, shops and colleges.
3. Villa Park
Source: Rent.com/Alta Sloan’s Lake
- Average 2-BR rent: $1,350
- Rent change since 2021: 0%
Another lovely neighborhood to consider if you’re looking for apartments to rent in Denver is Villa Park. Besides being one of the cheapest neighborhoods in Denver, Villa Park has a nice blend of urban amenities and a suburban atmosphere. The community is only about 15 minutes away from the Downtown area, giving you easy access to the Denver nightlife.
The outdoor activities are a definite perk, too, which you come to expect in a city like Denver. The neighborhood is close to 6th avenue, which gives you easy access to the mountains. There are also plenty of biking and running trails, as well as green spaces, like Sloan’s Lake.
A few years ago, Villa Park started to see a rejuvenation, which continues with a few new homes, townhouses and apartments going up.
2. Spyglass Hill
Source: Rent.com/Alas Over Lowry
- Average 2-BR rent: $1,286
- Rent change since 2021: +2.47%
Spyglass Hill is one of the cheapest places to live in Denver. Evidence of that is that Spyglass Hill is one of only two neighborhoods (out of 58 that we evaluated) that saw a decrease in rental fees in the past 12 months.
The small neighborhood has beautiful, modern apartments for rent. Surrounding the community is numerous green spaces, like Frances Wisebart Jacobs Park, a nice, big area for you to play soccer, read a book, picnic or let your kids (and pets) run off some energy. Other nearby parks include Garland Park and Cook Park Recreation Center.
The walkability and bike scores are really high (71 and 78), which means this neighborhood is ideal for evening strolls, running errands on your bike or just getting outside and enjoying the sunshine.
1. Washington Virginia Vale
Source: Rent.com/Gardens at Cherry Creek
- Average 2-BR rent: $1,286
- Rent change since 2021: -5.87%
Earning the top spot on our list and the title of the cheapest neighborhood in Denver is Washington Virginia Vale. This neighborhood was the only neighborhood in Denver – besides Spyglass Hill – to see a decrease in the cost of apartments for rent.
Just over five and a half miles from Downtown Denver, Washington Virginia Vale is close to all the nightlife activities that make city living so much fun! On the way to Denver, you can stop at the Botanic Gardens, Trader Joe’s and one of the many restaurants serving delectable cuisines.
Residents say the neighborhood feels safe and their neighbors are friendly, which definitely adds to the charm and appeal of this community.
The most expensive neighborhood in Denver
While you’ll pay an average of less than $1,300 per month in the cheapest neighborhood in Denver, you can end up paying an average of $4,705 in LoDo. The LoDo neighborhood is the Lower Downtown community of Denver, so it makes sense that rental fees are higher here. It’s closer to all the action and amenities, like restaurants, shopping and entertainment, as well as employment opportunities. Rent in this area is also on the rise, increasing nearly 12 percent in the past year.
Find an affordable neighborhood for your next apartment
While these are just a few of the cheapest places to live in Denver, there are other neighborhoods to consider, too. When you use our search feature to look for apartments for rent in Denver, you can use our filters to narrow your search. Instead of looking for a specific neighborhood, search by a particular price range and find apartments throughout the city that fits your budget.
Rent prices are based on a rolling weighted average from Rent.com’s multifamily rental property inventory as of January 2022. Our team uses a weighted average formula that more accurately represents price availability for each unit type and reduces the influence of seasonality on rent prices in specific markets. The rent information included in this article is used for illustrative purposes only. The data contained herein do not constitute financial advice or a pricing guarantee for any apartment.